Repenting of Anger

In the world-view, empowerment, asserting one’s self, and dealing with an offender are good steps that take away “victim-hood”. I am outraged by sin, yes. But for a child of God, I am called to forgive and love the offender. I mourned on and off for months being called to forgive and love the offender but by God’s grace, I now do. WIthholding forgiveness and love kept me imprisoned and paralyzed.

Loving and forgiving as God commands was the only way I could be freed from the bondage of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness which I gave temporary resident status and privilege in my heart. Could I just have a better tripartite package such as love, joy, and peace? Alas, no latter comes unless I shed the former.

I can be angry but in my anger I’m not supposed to sin (Eph 4:26a). That to me is like crossing the Niagara Falls on a tight rope. Oh Lord, everytime I listen to a sermon, I just realize how much I fall short of Your standard. How I need You! You teach me that man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (James 1:20). My anger and its fruit are exercises in sure futility.

Lord, I acknowledge that I have been angry, unforgiving, and bitter. I judge others yet desire mercy for myself. I withhold forgiveness, forgetting that You have forgiven me of my past, present, and future sins through what Jesus did for me on the cross. As I confess my unforgiveness, You even forgive me of it now. I repent of my hard heart. I want to turn 180 degrees away from my sins. Please enable me by Your almighty power that is at work within me (Eph 1:19; 3:20) to transform me to be less like myself and more like You. I claim Your promise in Jeremiah 15:19 so that I may be restored: Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Only the lost do such wicked things. Save those lost souls, Lord. Please don’t let them perish. Enable them to come to know You intimately and live for You, that they may not be shortchanged of true abundance in You.

Thank You for the freedom that comes from releasing anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness in Jesus’s name amen.

Like this:

Related

Post navigation

1 Comment

neighboring caterpillar

2012/04/17 – 6:11 pm

Dear bits,
I pray that this journey albeit difficult, will bring much strength, wisdom and joy to you and your family. Though I pray your pain ends sooner rather than later, we know God’s timing is best.
Thus I pray that His beautiful, great, wonderful, generous purposes for you and your family be accomplished. May His grace envelope you all in his gentle embrace that is comforting, reassuring and empowering you all to be all you can be in Christ, Jesus.